Don't Let Go
***** - scene switch
----- - flashback
-----
It was late, but I knew Vin would be up. Sometimes I wondered if he slept /at all/, but if I asked I'd probably get an answer like, "I slept for thirty years, blah blah blah." Apparently if you sleep for a few years, you just don't any more.
The door to his room creaked painfully loudly - neither of us was comfortable yet with sharing a room. If he were awake, he'd know I was there. Hell, he would have known if his back was turned and I was floating silently. If he were actually asleep for once, he'd wake up. I hadn't wanted to wake him. Okay, that's a lie. I hadn't expected him to be, but too late now.
"Vi-"
I stopped myself from speaking further when I saw him. Whatever he did, it completely tired him out; he was in a deep sleep curled up on his bed, like he was protecting himself. God, the man couldn't even relax when he /slept/.
-----
I shrugged off the remainders of the memory; I didn't need that right now. Doing so broke my trance, and I found myself in his room, just steps from his bed. I was here, right? I could just go to the basement, and find some clues? I tried to ignore the pricks of tears in my eyes. Just dust, I told myself, even though the room was spotless. Going to the basement could wait, I thought as I collapsed on his bed. His old bed. I mentally kicked myself. Shut up, brain, or I'll get my mop. Yeah, you better be afraid.
I inhaled the scent still left on his pillow. Gunpowder - he seemed to keep that damn gun strapped to his back constantly, the one what's-her-face gave him - with undertones of... cinnamon? What the hell? Where did /that/ come from...
Despite - and I really think it was spite, my brain getting back at me for the threat of concussion by cleaning-utensil-turned-weapon - the fact it wasn't what I planned, I fell into a light slumber.
-----
Even Vincent had to agree - it was a nice day. It was rare for the weather to be like this; the only place colder would be Icicle Inn. So, I started to try and coax him out of the house for lunch, being as subtle as a truck horn.
"Hey Vin, let's go and get somethin' to eat."
It wasn't like we were doing anything. I voiced that thought aloud, and added, "You need to get out more. You're so fuckin' white... insert cliche pale-person comment here." He stared at me and slowly replied.
"... I suppose." With the way he was looking at me, I thought he was going to refuse; in fact, for a minute I thought he had. Damn monotone. Once I realized he said yes, I made the mistake of pulling on his arm - he doesn't like to be touched - and he stiffened. I let go as if burned.
"Heh... Let's go." Sorry.
"Yes." It's okay.
Some things just don't need words.
*****
We decided to go to a small place just down the road of the mansion - and by 'we' I mean 'I.' I figured I should re-introduce Vin back into the general populace slowly.
As we walked, people shot discreet and not-so-discreet looks at us; some started laughing. I guess it must look odd for two guys to go to a cafe. Or they may be mistaking Vin for an abnormally tall girl. Whatever they thought, a cool glare from Vin made them go on their way again.
Dear God, what am I unleashing upon the world?
Next door to the small restaurant, I saw the perfect gift for him - a gag-gift, of course. It was a hit-or-miss thing; either he took the joke in good humor, or he smashed my head in. Possibly he would drink my blood. I wouldn't put it past him.
"Wait for me in there. I've gotta do somethin'.'' He just arched an eyebrow and did as I asked, his cape flowing dramatically in the wind. Does he have some sort of cue for that?
I searched my pockets for spare Gil, and entered the store hoping he didn't eat anyone while I was gone.
-----
Again the sun played the part of alarm clock for me, mercilessly shining into my eyes and cutting off my dream. Goddamn thing doesn't have to be so bright.
I resigned myself to the fact that I had to plan for Vin's funeral. It wasn't something I looked forward to... nor trusted myself with. Sighing, I rolled out of bed to call Shera.
*****
It wasn't until several days after he was laid to rest that I started to notice certain things weren't... right. Most, I never would have noticed, such as a missing book from his shelf, but I've been keeping my eyes open for any hints, no matter how small. It could be the most insignificant clue that solves this, and dammit I wasn't going to miss it!
Ever since that time I fell asleep on Vin's bed, I slept in his room. Seeing him that final time - the first I'd ever seen his expression so serene and unguarded - put me in a renewed fit of depression, so I desperately clung to any remaining trace of him. Look at what you've done to me. I'm so pitiful... I really did love you, didn't I? Did I ever tell you that? No, I don't think so. I hope you got the hint. Was it one of our implicit exchanges? Maybe. You better know, or I'll dig your fuckin' grave up and tell you.
Great, now I'm talking to myself... Sort of.
Maybe now would be a good time to go back to my room.
Unsurprisingly, it was exactly how I left it the day I... left it. That was surprisingly eloquent. Thank God I never wanted to be a poet.
As I pulled back the covers, a furry brown thing fell on my foot. My first thought was rat; my second, a slipper. Both turned out to be wrong - it was the gift I had gotten Vin awhile ago.
I placed it on the floor. I could reminisce later.
*****
Wow. I didn't think people would actually like this. n_n;
***** - scene switch
----- - flashback
-----
It was late, but I knew Vin would be up. Sometimes I wondered if he slept /at all/, but if I asked I'd probably get an answer like, "I slept for thirty years, blah blah blah." Apparently if you sleep for a few years, you just don't any more.
The door to his room creaked painfully loudly - neither of us was comfortable yet with sharing a room. If he were awake, he'd know I was there. Hell, he would have known if his back was turned and I was floating silently. If he were actually asleep for once, he'd wake up. I hadn't wanted to wake him. Okay, that's a lie. I hadn't expected him to be, but too late now.
"Vi-"
I stopped myself from speaking further when I saw him. Whatever he did, it completely tired him out; he was in a deep sleep curled up on his bed, like he was protecting himself. God, the man couldn't even relax when he /slept/.
-----
I shrugged off the remainders of the memory; I didn't need that right now. Doing so broke my trance, and I found myself in his room, just steps from his bed. I was here, right? I could just go to the basement, and find some clues? I tried to ignore the pricks of tears in my eyes. Just dust, I told myself, even though the room was spotless. Going to the basement could wait, I thought as I collapsed on his bed. His old bed. I mentally kicked myself. Shut up, brain, or I'll get my mop. Yeah, you better be afraid.
I inhaled the scent still left on his pillow. Gunpowder - he seemed to keep that damn gun strapped to his back constantly, the one what's-her-face gave him - with undertones of... cinnamon? What the hell? Where did /that/ come from...
Despite - and I really think it was spite, my brain getting back at me for the threat of concussion by cleaning-utensil-turned-weapon - the fact it wasn't what I planned, I fell into a light slumber.
-----
Even Vincent had to agree - it was a nice day. It was rare for the weather to be like this; the only place colder would be Icicle Inn. So, I started to try and coax him out of the house for lunch, being as subtle as a truck horn.
"Hey Vin, let's go and get somethin' to eat."
It wasn't like we were doing anything. I voiced that thought aloud, and added, "You need to get out more. You're so fuckin' white... insert cliche pale-person comment here." He stared at me and slowly replied.
"... I suppose." With the way he was looking at me, I thought he was going to refuse; in fact, for a minute I thought he had. Damn monotone. Once I realized he said yes, I made the mistake of pulling on his arm - he doesn't like to be touched - and he stiffened. I let go as if burned.
"Heh... Let's go." Sorry.
"Yes." It's okay.
Some things just don't need words.
*****
We decided to go to a small place just down the road of the mansion - and by 'we' I mean 'I.' I figured I should re-introduce Vin back into the general populace slowly.
As we walked, people shot discreet and not-so-discreet looks at us; some started laughing. I guess it must look odd for two guys to go to a cafe. Or they may be mistaking Vin for an abnormally tall girl. Whatever they thought, a cool glare from Vin made them go on their way again.
Dear God, what am I unleashing upon the world?
Next door to the small restaurant, I saw the perfect gift for him - a gag-gift, of course. It was a hit-or-miss thing; either he took the joke in good humor, or he smashed my head in. Possibly he would drink my blood. I wouldn't put it past him.
"Wait for me in there. I've gotta do somethin'.'' He just arched an eyebrow and did as I asked, his cape flowing dramatically in the wind. Does he have some sort of cue for that?
I searched my pockets for spare Gil, and entered the store hoping he didn't eat anyone while I was gone.
-----
Again the sun played the part of alarm clock for me, mercilessly shining into my eyes and cutting off my dream. Goddamn thing doesn't have to be so bright.
I resigned myself to the fact that I had to plan for Vin's funeral. It wasn't something I looked forward to... nor trusted myself with. Sighing, I rolled out of bed to call Shera.
*****
It wasn't until several days after he was laid to rest that I started to notice certain things weren't... right. Most, I never would have noticed, such as a missing book from his shelf, but I've been keeping my eyes open for any hints, no matter how small. It could be the most insignificant clue that solves this, and dammit I wasn't going to miss it!
Ever since that time I fell asleep on Vin's bed, I slept in his room. Seeing him that final time - the first I'd ever seen his expression so serene and unguarded - put me in a renewed fit of depression, so I desperately clung to any remaining trace of him. Look at what you've done to me. I'm so pitiful... I really did love you, didn't I? Did I ever tell you that? No, I don't think so. I hope you got the hint. Was it one of our implicit exchanges? Maybe. You better know, or I'll dig your fuckin' grave up and tell you.
Great, now I'm talking to myself... Sort of.
Maybe now would be a good time to go back to my room.
Unsurprisingly, it was exactly how I left it the day I... left it. That was surprisingly eloquent. Thank God I never wanted to be a poet.
As I pulled back the covers, a furry brown thing fell on my foot. My first thought was rat; my second, a slipper. Both turned out to be wrong - it was the gift I had gotten Vin awhile ago.
I placed it on the floor. I could reminisce later.
*****
Wow. I didn't think people would actually like this. n_n;